Author
Topic: HA in the UK (Read 2835 times)

This question is primarily directed at users in the UK. What home automation systems are you using?

Having searched around, I see that even companies based in the UK seem to only sell stuff intended for the European market. I know we uise the same frequencies and have the same mains voltage, but the design of power outlets is different as is the design / size of the "standard" switch / socket.

I'd like to have all my lighting etc automated, but don't want to spend an absolute fortune (I can't afford close to £100 per dimmer!) or have to re-wire my entire (rather old) house!!

Ideally, I'd like something that can either replace the existing wallswitch or which can be installed in / behind the ceiling rose.

This question is primarily directed at users in the UK. What home automation systems are you using?

Having searched around, I see that even companies based in the UK seem to only sell stuff intended for the European market. I know we uise the same frequencies and have the same mains voltage, but the design of power outlets is different as is the design / size of the "standard" switch / socket.

I'd like to have all my lighting etc automated, but don't want to spend an absolute fortune (I can't afford close to £100 per dimmer!) or have to re-wire my entire (rather old) house!!

Ideally, I'd like something that can either replace the existing wallswitch or which can be installed in / behind the ceiling rose.

Ideas?

Well if you are looking for in-wall '13amp' sockets or plug-in adapters then yes this is an issue. However if you are looking for wall switches or load controllers that can be located in the ceiling void then as Posde says Popp ZWave or ENocean (MK in the UK have a limited range of ENocean based products by the way) are good choices. ACT have a range of UK compliant ZWave devices and these include plug-in 13amp adapters but the range of options/styles limited to one...and the quality/reliability in our experience has been not that good...but they are less expensive.

Sorry I've not responded before, but I've been away - it's amazing how many posts there are in 2 weeks!!!

Anyhow, I'll investigate the products you mention. Andrew - I hear what you are saying about controllers in the ceiling void or whatever, but surely wall-switches will be different due to the different design of the "standard" patress box? I live in a Victorian house and don't want to get into replacing the switches and trying to "make good" the decor due to different sizes. Unless you know something I don't?

Sorry I've not responded before, but I've been away - it's amazing how many posts there are in 2 weeks!!!

Anyhow, I'll investigate the products you mention. Andrew - I hear what you are saying about controllers in the ceiling void or whatever, but surely wall-switches will be different due to the different design of the "standard" patress box? I live in a Victorian house and don't want to get into replacing the switches and trying to "make good" the decor due to different sizes. Unless you know something I don't?

Well there are Merten ZWave battery powered switches that surface mount and can be paired with the actual load controller located in the ceiling void or anywhere else convenient for connection to the controlled circuit. Alternatively you could look at ENocean based switches from MK that are fully UK back-box compliant or can be surface mounted again (as per the Merten ones mentioned earlier). The MK range you want to look at is called Echo and is fully interoperable with other ENocean based products manufactured by other European manufacturers.

...BTW the Act plugin dimmer or appliance modules are 44.99GBP. They work with LinuxMCE according to the Wiki (with 0710 at least)

If you're going to use this community to sell stuff, at the very least have the decency to test the products yourself.

Zaerc - in Techstyle's defence he has has been part of the community here for some time...he certainly has never in my knowledge been anything but a good member too. He does test his own products on LinuxMCE and never overtly pushes for sales of those products either.

I try to keep my marketing posts in the Marketplace area (and they are not very frequent) but when somebody is looking for something specific that we carry I will point them in the right direction in the same way that I would point them in CHT's direction if they were looking for products that Andrew carries.